I think the problem with an "age to come" being a future age after the "last days" is that when "age to come" appears in scripture (Matthew 12:30; Ephesians 1:21) it is in the "present-active-participle" form which means it is something that is already happening during the "last days." It is not a "future" tense, nor it there any "future" people in the context of the passages.
Thus, I think it is better understood as meaning something like "the final age that is now happening". Remember, Jesus was born during an existing evil age but his arrival signified that the "age (final) of the ages" had arrived. This why Paul told the Corinthians that everything written beforehand was ultimately intended to have its meaning fulfilled for them during the "last days" since "the consummation of the ages" (i.e. the age that completes the purpose all the previous ones were leading up to) was now transpiring in their generation (1 Corinthians 10:11) when all would be completed (Matthew 24:34).
Thanks Rivers but I would like to look into those passages which seems you haven't explain to me on Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; 20:34-36.
From Concordant Literal NT which I have, it says, "...in this era, houses and brothers and sisters and mother and father and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming eon, life eonian" (Mark 10:30).
Also in Luke 18:30 says, "...getting back manyfold in this era, andin the coming eon, life eonian."
Lastly, "The sons of this eon are marrying and are taking out in marriage. Yet those deemed worthy to happen upon that eon and the resurrection from among the dead are neither marrying nor taking out in marriage. For neither can they still be dying, for they are equal to messengers, and are the sons of God, being sons of the resurrection" (Luke 20:34-36).
So, are you saying that right at the consummation of the ages (the Parousia), they received life eonian ("eternal" life in heaven)?
1. Mark 10:30. The "present time" (KAIROS) refers to the "last days" when there would be "perscution." The "age coming" is in a "present-middle-participle" form which means that it was something happening to this same people at that time. This is the same "consummation of the ages" that Paul was referring to (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Remember, the CLT translators are futurists. Mark 10:30 could also be translated this way:
" ... in this time (KAIROS), houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and fields (along with persuctions), and with the age (EN AIWN) now-coming-upon-us (ERCHOMAI, present-middle-participle), permenant life (AIWOIS ZWE)"
3. Luke 20:34-36. Yes, they went to be with Jesus in the heavenlies at the Parousia (which was also the resurrection). That is when they "put on the imperishable" (1 Corinthians 15:50-56).
The idea in these passages of "the age at hand (MELLW) or "the age now-coming" (AIWN ERCHOMAI) is the thought that the final Messianic "age" that had been anticipated (in prophecy) by all of the previous generations (ages) was now coming to pass during the "last days" (i.e final age) in which the apostles and their churches were living. To Daniel and the prophets it was a "future" age ... but, with the appearing of Jesus, that anticipated final "age" had become a present reality for the people of Jesus' day.
RiversOfEden
Hi Donald,
I think the problem with an "age to come" being a future age after the "last days" is that when "age to come" appears in scripture (Matthew 12:30; Ephesians 1:21) it is in the "present-active-participle" form which means it is something that is already happening during the "last days." It is not a "future" tense, nor it there any "future" people in the context of the passages.
Thus, I think it is better understood as meaning something like "the final age that is now happening". Remember, Jesus was born during an existing evil age but his arrival signified that the "age (final) of the ages" had arrived. This why Paul told the Corinthians that everything written beforehand was ultimately intended to have its meaning fulfilled for them during the "last days" since "the consummation of the ages" (i.e. the age that completes the purpose all the previous ones were leading up to) was now transpiring in their generation (1 Corinthians 10:11) when all would be completed (Matthew 24:34).
Rivers :)
riversofeden4@gmail.com
Jun 9, 2012
Donald
Thanks Rivers but I would like to look into those passages which seems you haven't explain to me on Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; 20:34-36.
From Concordant Literal NT which I have, it says, "...in this era, houses and brothers and sisters and mother and father and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming eon, life eonian" (Mark 10:30).
Also in Luke 18:30 says, "...getting back manyfold in this era, and in the coming eon, life eonian."
Lastly, "The sons of this eon are marrying and are taking out in marriage. Yet those deemed worthy to happen upon that eon and the resurrection from among the dead are neither marrying nor taking out in marriage. For neither can they still be dying, for they are equal to messengers, and are the sons of God, being sons of the resurrection" (Luke 20:34-36).
So, are you saying that right at the consummation of the ages (the Parousia), they received life eonian ("eternal" life in heaven)?
Jun 12, 2012
RiversOfEden
Hi Donald,
Here's a reply to the passages you cited:
1. Mark 10:30. The "present time" (KAIROS) refers to the "last days" when there would be "perscution." The "age coming" is in a "present-middle-participle" form which means that it was something happening to this same people at that time. This is the same "consummation of the ages" that Paul was referring to (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Remember, the CLT translators are futurists. Mark 10:30 could also be translated this way:
" ... in this time (KAIROS), houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and fields (along with persuctions), and with the age (EN AIWN) now-coming-upon-us (ERCHOMAI, present-middle-participle), permenant life (AIWOIS ZWE)"
2. Luke 18:30. Same exact thing as Mark 10:30.
3. Luke 20:34-36. Yes, they went to be with Jesus in the heavenlies at the Parousia (which was also the resurrection). That is when they "put on the imperishable" (1 Corinthians 15:50-56).
The idea in these passages of "the age at hand (MELLW) or "the age now-coming" (AIWN ERCHOMAI) is the thought that the final Messianic "age" that had been anticipated (in prophecy) by all of the previous generations (ages) was now coming to pass during the "last days" (i.e final age) in which the apostles and their churches were living. To Daniel and the prophets it was a "future" age ... but, with the appearing of Jesus, that anticipated final "age" had become a present reality for the people of Jesus' day.
Rivers :)
riversofeden4@gmail.com
Jun 14, 2012